Curcumin loaded self assembled lipid-biopolymer nanoparticles for functional food applications

Curcumin nanogel and its efficacy against oxidative stress and inflammation in rat models of ischemic stroke

Aim: The study was designed to develop and analyze curcumin nanoparticles. Methods: Curcumin nanoparticles were formulated and evaluated. Their efficacy in protecting against brain damage was investigated in a rat model of ischemic stroke, considering motor function, muscle strength and antioxidant enzyme activity. Results: Curcumin nanoparticles displayed a zeta potential of -55 ± 13.5 mV and an average particle size of 51.40 ± 21.70 nm. In ischemic stroke rat models, curcumin nanoparticle treatment significantly improved motor functions, and muscle strength and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusion: Curcumin nanoparticles showed significant neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke models.

Material Breakthroughs in Smart Food Monitoring: Intelligent Packaging and On-Site Testing Technologies for Spoilage and Contamination Detection

Despite extensive commercial and regulatory interventions, food spoilage and contamination continue to impose massive ramifications on human health and the global economy. Recognizing that such issues will be significantly eliminated by the accurate and timely monitoring of food quality markers, smart food sensors have garnered significant interest as platforms for both real-time, in-package food monitoring and on-site commercial testing. In both cases, the sensitivity, stability, and efficiency of the developed sensors are largely informed by underlying material design, driving focus toward the creation of advanced materials optimized for such applications. Herein, a comprehensive review of emerging intelligent materials and sensors developed in this space is provided, through the lens of three key food quality markers - biogenic amines, pH, and pathogenic microbes. Each sensing platform is presented with targeted consideration toward the contributions of the underlying metallic or polymeric substrate to the sensing mechanism and detection performance. Further, the real-world applicability of presented works is considered with respect to their capabilities, regulatory adherence, and commercial potential. Finally, a situational assessment of the current state of intelligent food monitoring technologies is provided, discussing material-centric strategies to address their existing limitations, regulatory concerns, and commercial considerations.

Boosting photo-induced antimicrobial activity of lignin nanoparticles with curcumin and zinc oxide

Lignin nanoparticles have gained increasing attention as a potential antimicrobial agent due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. However, the limited ability of lignin to act as an antibacterial is a major barrier to its widespread use. Thus, it is crucial to develop novel approaches to amplify lignin's biological capabilities in order to promote its effective utilization. In this study, we modified lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) with photo-active curcumin (Cur), zinc oxide (ZnO), or a combination of both to enhance their antimicrobial properties. The successful modifications of LNPs were confirmed using comprehensive characterization techniques. The antimicrobial efficacy of the modified LNPs was assessed against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. The results showed that the modification of LNPs with Cur and ZnO have much higher antibacterial and antibiofilm activities than unmodified LNPs. Moreover, photo illumination resulted in even higher antibacterial activity. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy revealed bacterial cells lysis and membrane damage by ZnO/Cur modified LNPs. Our research demonstrates that ZnO/Cur modified LNPs can serve as novel hybrid materials with enhanced antimicrobial capabilities. In addition, the photo-induced enhancement in antibacterial activity not only demonstrated the versatility of this hybrid material but also opened up interesting potential for bioinspired therapeutics agents.

Advanced application of nanotechnology in active constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have been used for centuries for the treatment and management of various diseases. However, their effective delivery to targeted sites may be a major challenge due to their poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and potential toxicity. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles and organic/inorganic nanohybrids based on active constituents from TCMs have been extensively studied as a promising strategy to improve the delivery of active constituents from TCMs to achieve a higher therapeutic effect with fewer side effects compared to conventional formulations. This review summarizes the recent advances in nanocarrier-based delivery systems for various types of active constituents of TCMs, including terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinones, from different natural sources. This review covers the design and preparation of nanocarriers, their characterization, and in vitro/vivo evaluations. Additionally, this review highlights the challenges and opportunities in the field and suggests future directions for research. Nanocarrier-based delivery systems have shown great potential in improving the therapeutic efficacy of TCMs, and this review may serve as a comprehensive resource to researchers in this field.

The bioavailability, metabolism and microbial modulation of curcumin-loaded nanodelivery systems

Curcumin (Cur), the major bioactive component of turmeric (Curcuma longa) possesses many health benefits. However, low solubility, stability and bioavailability restricts its applications in food. Recently, nanocarriers such as complex coacervates, nanocapsules, liposomes, nanoparticles, nanomicelles, have been used as novel strategies to solve these problems. In this review, we have focused on the delivery systems responsive to the environmental stimuli such as pH-responsive, enzyme-responsive, targeted-to-specific cells or tissues, mucus-penetrating and mucoadhesive carriers. Besides, the metabolites and their biodistribution of Cur and Cur delivery systems are discussed. Most importantly, the interaction between Cur and their carriers with gut microbiota and their effects of modulating the gut health synergistically were discussed comprehensively. In the end, the biocompatibility of Cur delivery systems and the feasibility of their application in food industry is discussed. This review provided a comprehensive review of Cur nanodelivery systems, the health impacts of Cur nanocarriers and an insight into the application of Cur nanocarriers in food industry.

Formation of a traditional Chinese medicine self-assembly nanostrategy and its application in cancer: a promising treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to prevent and treat a variety of illnesses, and its popularity is increasing worldwide. However, the clinical applications of natural active components in TCM are hindered by the poor solubility and low bioavailability of these compounds. To address these issues, Chinese medicine self-assembly nanostrategy (CSAN) is being developed. Many active components of TCM possess self-assembly properties, allowing them to form nanoparticles (NPs) through various noncovalent forces. Self-assembled NPs (SANs) are also present in TCM decoctions, and they are closely linked to the therapeutic effects of these remedies. SAN is gaining popularity in the nano research field due to its simplicity, eco-friendliness, and enhanced biodegradability and biocompatibility compared to traditional nano preparation methods. The self-assembly of active ingredients from TCM that exhibit antitumour effects or are combined with other antitumour drugs has generated considerable interest in the field of cancer therapeutics. This paper provides a review of the principles and forms of CSAN, as well as an overview of recent reports on TCM that can be used for self-assembly. Additionally, the application of CSAN in various cancer diseases is summarized, and finally, a concluding summary and thoughts are proposed. We strongly believe that CSAN has the potential to offer fresh strategies and perspectives for the modernization of TCM.

Lecithin/chitosan nanoparticle drug carrier improves anti-tumor efficacy of Monascus pigment rubropunctatin

Rubropunctatin, a metabolite isolated from the fungi of the genus Monascus, is a natural lead compound applied for the suppression of tumors with good anti-cancer activity. However, its poor aqueous solubility has limited its further clinical development and utilization. Lecithin and chitosan are excellently biocompatible and biodegradable natural materials, which have been approved by the FDA as drug carrier. Here, we report for the first time the construction of a lecithin/chitosan nanoparticle drug carrier of the Monascus pigment rubropunctatin by electrostatic self-assembly between lecithin and chitosan. The nanoparticles are near-spherical with a size 110-120 nm. They are soluble in water and possess excellent homogenization capacity and dispersibility. Our in vitro drug release assay showed a sustained release of rubropunctatin. CCK-8 assays revealed that lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles loaded with rubropunctatin (RCP-NPs) had significantly enhanced cytotoxicity against mouse mammary cancer 4T1 cells. The flow cytometry results revealed that RCP-NPs significantly boosted cellular uptake and apoptosis. The tumor-bearing mice models we developed indicated that RCP-NPs effectively inhibited tumor growth. Our present findings suggest that lecithin/chitosan nanoparticle drug carriers improve the anti-tumor effect of the Monascus pigment rubropunctatin.

Coating with cationic inulin enhances the drug release profile and in vitro anticancer activity of lecithin-based nano drug delivery systems

Core-shell structured lipidic nanoparticles (LNPs) were developed using lecithin sodium acetate (Lec-OAc) ionic complex as a core unit and quaternized inulin (QIn) as the shell part. Inulin (In) was modified using glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (GTMAC) as a positively charged shell part and used for coating the negatively surface charged Lec-OAc. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the core was determined as 1.047 × 10^-4 M, which is expected to provide high stability in blood circulation as a drug-carrying compartment. The amounts of curcumin (Cur) and paclitaxel (Ptx) loaded to LNPs (CurPtx-LNPs), and quaternized inulin-coated LNPs (Cur-Ptx-QIn-LNPs) were optimized to obtain mono-dispersed particles with maximum payload. The total amount of 2.0 mg of the drug mixture (1 mg Cur and 1 mg Ptx) was the optimized quantity for QIn-LNPs and CurPtx-QIn-LNPs due to the favorable physicochemical properties determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies. This inference was confirmed by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR). SEM and TEM images clearly revealed the spherical shapes of LNPs and QIn-LNPs, and QIn covered the LNPs completely. The cumulative release measurements of Cur and Ptx from CurPtx-QIn-LNPs, along with the kinetic studies, showed a significant decrease in the release period of drug molecules with the effect of the coating. At the same time, Korsmeyer-Peppas was the best diffusion-controlled release model. Coating of the LNPs with QIn increased the cell-internalization of NPs to the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, resulting in a better toxicity profile than the empty LNPs.

Hybrid chitosan-lipid nanoparticles of green tea extract as natural anti-cellulite agent with superior in vivo potency: full synthesis and analysis

The aim of this work is to exploit the advantages of chitosan (CS) as a nanocarrier for delivery of anti-cellulite drug, green tea extract (GTE), into subcutaneous adipose tissue. Primarily, analysis of herbal extract was conducted via newly developed and validated UPLC method. Ionic gelation method was adopted in the preparation of nanoparticles where the effect lecithin was investigated resulting in the formation of hybrid lipid-chitosan nanoparticles. Optimal formula showed a particle size of 292.6 ± 8.98 nm, polydispersity index of 0.253 ± 0.02, zeta potential of 41.03 ± 0.503 mV and an entrapment efficiency percent of 68.4 ± 1.88%. Successful interaction between CS, sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and lecithin was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Morphological examination was done using transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope confirmed spherical uniform nature of GTE load CS-TPP nanoparticles. Ex vivo permeation study revealed permeability enhancing activity of the selected optimal formula due to higher GTE deposition in skin in comparison to GTE solution. Moreover in vivo study done on female albino Wistar rats carried out for 21 days proved successful potential anti-cellulite activity upon its application on rats’ skin. Histological examination showed significant reduction of adipocyte perimeter and area and fat layer thickness. Results of the current study demonstrated that the developed GTE-loaded CS-TPP nanoparticle comprised of chitosan and lecithin showed permeability enhancing activity along with the proven lipolytic effect of green tea represent a promising delivery system for anti-cellulite activity.

Electrostatic deposition assisted preparation, characterization and evaluation of chrysin liposomes for breast cancer treatment

Chrysin (CHR), a flavone found in multiple vegetables, fruits and mushrooms has been explored so far as a neurotropic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer biomolecule. Despite the stated therapeutic potential, low solubility and bioavailability limit its therapeutic benefit. To circumvent these drawbacks, development of chrysin liposomes (CLPs) is reported in the present investigation. The CLPs were developed by electrostatic deposition assisted film hydration method using chitosan/lecithin to protect chrysin in the nano-lipoidal shell. Developed CLPs were extensively characterized by DSC, XPRD, FE-SEM, TEM, particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, percent drug loading and encapsulation efficiency. These CLPs were further characterized by in vitro dissolution, in vivo bioavailability, in vitro anticancer and stability study. Suitable particle size, PDI and ZP implying stabilization of developed CLPs. The % DL and % EE was found to be 3.56 ± 0.13 and 90.5 ± 1.49 respectively. DSC and PXRD study revealed amorphous transition of CHR, which may help to increase its solubility and dissolution profile. In vivo pharmacokinetic study demonstrated more than 5-fold increase in relative bioavailability of CLPs. The in silico molecular docking study results demonstrated the electrostatic interaction between two polymers. The present study suggests that chitosan could protect and encapsulate chrysin which eventually enhances its cytotoxicity as well as bioavailability.

Synergistic Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Curcumin-C3 Encapsulated Chitosan Nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have focused on the nanoformulations of curcumin to enhance its solubility and bioavailability. The medicinal properties of curcumin-C3 complex, which is a combination of three curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) is less explored.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to prepare curcumin-C3 encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles, characterize and evaluate their antioxidant and antibacterial potential.

METHODS

Ionic gelation method was used to prepare curcumin-C3 nanoparticles and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. In vitro assays were performed to assess drug release, antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

RESULTS

Curcumin-C3-chitosan nanoparticle showed an increased entrapment efficiency of >90%, drug release and improved antioxidant potential. Moreover, curcumin-C3-chitosan nanoparticle showed stronger inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

CONCLUSION

Chitosan is a suitable carrier for curcumin-C3 nanoparticle and can be used as a drug delivery system in the treatment of inflammatory and bacterial diseases.

Lipids from algal biomass provide new (nonlamellar) nanovectors with high carrier potentiality for natural antioxidants

Lipid mesophases are lyotropic liquid crystalline systems which differ from liposomes and other globular aggregates in dilute regimes due to their inner ordering. It is known that natural lipids enable to obtain a rich variety of nanosystems and many of them have been proposed as delivery agents for bioactive compounds. Due to their packing parameters, several classes of lipids found in natural sources are able to self-assemble into nonlamellar structures. Among lipids occurring in plants and algae, triglycerides display this tendency. In the present study we examine new nanosystems built with lipids extracted from the marine microalga Nannochloropsis sp and their use as carriers for lipophilic antioxidants. The antioxidants studied, curcumin and tocopherol were encapsulated with high rate in the carriers. The physico-chemical characterization of plain and loaded vectors showed their structure and localization site, as well as the structure-functionality relationship related to potential drug delivery. The results show that the cargo molecules play an active role in driving the interactions which characterize the overall structure of the aggregates. The systems studied showed several coexisting mesophases, the most predominant structure being of cubic symmetry.

Self-Assembled chitosan/phospholipid nanoparticles: from fundamentals to preparation for advanced drug delivery

With the development of nanotechnology, self-assembled chitosan/phospholipid nanoparticles (SACPNs) show great promise in a broad range of applications, including therapy, diagnosis, in suit imaging and on-demand drug delivery. Here, a brief review of the SACPNs is presented, and its critical underlying formation mechanisms are interpreted with an emphasis on the intrinsic physicochemical properties. The state-of-art preparation methods of SACPNs are summarized, with particular descriptions about the classic solvent injection method. Then SACPNs microstructures are characterized, revealing the unique spherical core-shell structure and the drug release mechanisms. Afterwards, a comprehensive and in-depth depiction of their emerging applications, with special attention to drug delivery areas, are categorized and reviewed. Finally, conclusions and outlooks on further advancing the SACPNs toward a more powerful and versatile platform for investigations covering from fundamental understanding to developing multi-functional drug delivery systems are discussed.

Enhancing Bioavailability and Stability of Curcumin Using Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (CLEN): A Covenant for Its Effectiveness

Curcumin, very rightly referred to as "a wonder drug" is proven to be efficacious in a variety of inflammatory disorders including cancers. Antiaging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, chemosensitizing, P-gp efflux inhibiting, and antiproliferative activity are some of the striking features of curcumin, highlighting its importance in chemotherapy. Curcumin inhibits Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, VEGF, c-Myc, ICAM-1, EGFR, STAT3 phosphorylation, and cyclin D1 genes involved in the various stages of breast, prostate, and gastric cancer proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. The full therapeutic potential of curcumin however remains under explored mainly due to poor absorption, rapid metabolism and systemic elimination culminating in its poor bioavailability. Furthermore, curcumin is insoluble, unstable at various pH and is also prone to undergo photodegradation. Nanotechnology can help improve the therapeutic potential of drug molecules with compromised biopharmaceutical profiles. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are the latest offshoot of nanomedicine with proven advantages of high drug payload, longer shelf life, biocompatibility and biodegradability, and industrial amenability of the production process. We successfully developed CLEN (Curcumin encapsulated lipidic nanoconstructs) containing 15 mg curcumin per ml of the SLN dispersion with highest (till date, to our knowledge) increase in solubility of curcumin in an aqueous system by 1.4 × 106 times as compared to its intrinsic solubility of 11 ng/ml and high drug loading (15% w/v with respect to lipid matrix). Zero-order release kinetics observed for CLEN versus first order release for free curcumin establish controlled release nature of the developed CLEN. It showed 69.78 times higher oral bioavailability with respect to free curcumin; 9.00 times higher than a bioavailable marketed formulation (CurcuWIN®). The formulation showed 104, 13.3, and 10-times enhanced stability at pH 6.8, 1.2, and 7.4, respectively. All these factors ensure the efficacy of CLEN in treating cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

Introducing nano/microencapsulated bioactive ingredients for extending the shelf-life of food products

The shelf-life of foods is affected by several aspects, mainly chemical and microbial events, resulting in a considerable decline in consumer's acceptance. There is an increasing interest to substitute synthetic preservatives with the plant-based bioactive ingredients which are safe and natural. However, full implementation of this replacement is postponed by some challenges associated with bioactive ingredients, including their low chemical stability, off-flavor, low solubility, and short-term effectiveness. Encapsulation could overcome these limitations. The present review explains current trends in applying natural encapsulated ingredients for food preservation based on a classified description including essential oils, plant extracts, phenolics, carotenoids, etc. and their application for extending food shelf-life mostly dealing with antimicrobial, ant-browning and antioxidant properties. Encapsulation techniques, especially nanoencapsulation, is a promising strategy to overcome their limitations. Moreover, better results are obtained using a combination of proteins and polysaccharides as wall materials than single polymers. The encapsulation method and type of encapsulants highly influences the releasing mechanism and physicochemical properties of bioactive ingredients. These factors together with optimizing the conditions of encapsulation process leads to a cost-effective and well encapsulated ingredient which is more efficient than its free form in shelf-life improvement. It has been shown that the well-designed encapsulation systems, finally, boost the shelf-life-promoting functions of the bioactive ingredients, mostly due to enhancing their solubility, homogeneity in food matrices and contact surface with deteriorative agents, and providing their prolonged presence over food storage and processing via increasing the thermal and processing stability of bioactive compounds, as well as controlling their release on food surfaces, or/and within food packages. To this end and given the numerous wall and bioactive core substances available, further studies are needed to evaluate the efficiency of many encapsulated forms of both conventional and novel bioactive ingredients in food shelf-life extending since the interactions and anti-spoiling behaviors of the ingredients in various encapsulation systems and foodstuffs are highly variable that should be optimized and characterized before any industrial application.

Conjugation of micro/nanocurcumin particles to ZnO nanoparticles changes the surface charge and hydrodynamic size thereby enhancing its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Nanobiotechnology-mediated synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, micro/nanocurcumin, and curcumin-ZnO nanocomposites and their characterization followed by comparative study of their antibacterial, antioxidant, and iron-chelating efficiency at various dosages are discussed. Micro/nanocurcumin and ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using curcumin and zinc nitrate as precursor and then conjugated by sonication to synthesize curcumin-ZnO nanocomposites. The synthesized nanoparticles were then characterized by using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering analysis. After that, the antibacterial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated by the optical density (OD₆₀₀ ) method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus cells. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl ), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and ferrous ion-chelating efficiency of synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated by spectrophotometry analysis. Nanocurcumin (mean zeta potential = -25 mV; average hydrodynamic diameter = 410 nm) based coating of ZnO nanoparticles (mean zeta potential = -15.9 mV; average hydrodynamic diameter = 274 nm) to synthesize curcumin-ZnO nanocomposites (mean zeta potential = -18.8 mV; average hydrodynamic diameter = 224 nm) exhibited enhanced zeta potential, which resulted in reduced agglomeration, smaller hydrodynamic size in water, improved aqueous solubility, and dispersion. All the aforesaid factors including the synergistic antibacterial effect of ZnO nanoparticle and micro/nanocurcumin contributed to increased antibacterial efficiency of curcumin-ZnO nanocomposites. Micro/nanocurcumin due to its better water solubility and small hydrodynamic diameter exhibited enhanced antioxidant and ferrous ion-chelating efficiency than curcumin.

Curcumin-C3 Complexed with α-, β-cyclodextrin Exhibits Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties Suitable for Cancer Treatments

BACKGROUND

The curcumin-C3 (cur-C3) complex obtained from Curcuma longa rhizome is a combination of three curcuminoids, namely, curcumin, dimethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Cur and curcuminoids have been extensively researched for their wide range of therapeutic properties against inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and cancer.

OBJECTIVE

In spite of their extensive medicinal properties, cur and curcuminoids have poor solubility and bioavailability due to their hydrophobicity. This limitation can be overcome by complexing cur-C3 with natural cyclic oligosaccharides, such as Cyclodextrin (CD).

METHODS

In this study, cur-C3 and CD (α, β) inclusion complexes (ICs) were prepared with different molar ratios and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The cur-C3 cyclodextrin ICs showed an increased entrapment efficiency of 97.8% and improved antioxidant activity compared to cur and can be used as an antioxidant to reduce cancer-related oxidative stress. Additionally, α- CD ICs of curcumin-C3 caused an increase in growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that both α- and β-CDs are suitable carriers for cur-C3 and can be used as an effective treatment for cancer-associated oxidative stress and as a preventive treatment for nosocomial infections and pneumonia.

Self-Assembled Carbohydrate Polymers for Food Applications: A Review

The self-assembled natural and synthetic polymers are booming. However, natural polymers obtained from native or modified carbohydrate polymers (CPs), such as celluloses, chitosan, glucans, gums, pectins, and starches, have had special attention as raw material in the manufacture of self-assembled polymer composite materials having several forms: films, hydrogels, micelles, and particles. The easy manipulation of the architecture of the CPs, as well as their high availability in nature, low cost, and being sustainable and green polymers have been the main positive points in the use of them for different applications. CPs have been used as building blocks for composite structures, and their easy orientation and ordering has given rise to self-assembled CPs (SCPs). These macromolecules have been little studied for food applications. Nonetheless, their research has grown mainly in the last 5 years as encapsulated food additive wall materials, food coatings, and edible films. The multifaceted properties (systems sensitive to pH, temperature, ionic strength, types of ions, mechanical force, and enzymes) of these devices are leading to the development of advanced food materials. This review article focused on the analysis of SCPs for food applications in order to encourage other research groups for their preparation and implementation.

Effects of green synthesised silver nanoparticles (ST06-AgNPs) using curcumin derivative (ST06) on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) in vitro and EAC tumor bearing mice models

Background

In recent years, green synthesized silver nanoparticles have been increasingly investigated for their anti-cancer potential. In the present study, we aimed at the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a curcumin derivative, ST06. Although, the individual efficacies of silver nanoparticles or curcumin derivatives have been studied previously, the synergistic cytotoxic effects of curcumin derivative and silver nanoparticles in a single nanoparticulate formulation have not been studied earlier specifically on animal models. This makes this study novel compared to the earlier synthesized curcumin derivative or silver nanoparticles studies. The aim of the study was to synthesize ST06 coated silver nanoparticles (ST06-AgNPs) using ST06 as both reducing and coating agent.

Methods

The synthesized nanoparticles AgNPs and ST06-AgNPs were characterised for the particle size distribution, morphology, optical properties and surface charge by using UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Elemental composition and structural properties were studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The presence of ST06 as capping agent was demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Results

The synthesized nanoparticles (ST06-AgNPs) were spherical and had a size distribution in the range of 50–100 nm. UV-Vis spectroscopy displayed a specific silver plasmon peak at 410 nm. The in vitro cytotoxicity effects of ST06 and ST06-AgNPs, as assessed by MTT assay, showed significant growth inhibition of human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). In addition, studies carried out in EAC tumor-induced mouse model (Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma) using ST06-AgNPs, revealed that treatment of the animals with these nanoparticles resulted in a significant reduction in the tumor growth, compared to the control group animals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, green synthesized ST06-AgNPs exhibited superior anti-tumor efficacy than the free ST06 or AgNPs with no acute toxicity under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The tumor suppression is associated with the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Together, the results of this study suggest that ST06-AgNPs could be considered as a potential option for the treatment of solid tumors.

Curcumin-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Markedly Enhanced Cytotoxicity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Curcumin, a natural polyphenol extracted from a perennial herb Curcuma longa has been verified for many physiological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. The direct use of curcumin cytotoxicity studies are limited due to its unstable chemical structure, low bioavailability, easy oxidation, and degradation by ultraviolet (UV) light etc. Trying to overcome this problem, silica-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (SCNP) and chitosan with silica co-encapsulated curcumin nanoparticles (CSCNP) were prepared by silicification and biosilicification methods, respectively, and encapsulated curcumin within it. We investigated the antitumor properties of SCNP and CSCNP on different tumor cell lines. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that both SCNP and CSCNP were almost spherical in shape and the average particle size of CSCNP was 75.0 ± 14.62 nm, and SCNP was 61.7 ± 23.04 nm. The results show that CSCNP has more anti-oxidant activity as compared to curcumin and SCNP. The higher cytotoxicity towards different cancerous cell lines was also observed in CSCNP treated tumor cells. It was noted that the SCNP and CSCNP has a high percentage of IC₅₀ values in Hep G2 cells. The encapsulation of curcumin improved instability, antioxidant activity, and antitumor activity. Our results demonstrated that nanoencapsulation of curcumin with silica and chitosan not only increase curcumin stability but also enhance its cytotoxic activity on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. On the basis of these primary studies, the curcumin-loaded nanoparticles appear to be promising as an innovative therapeutic material for the treatment of tumors.

Curcumin-sunflower protein nanoparticles-A potential antiinflammatory agent

Curcumin is an antiinflammatory molecule, however, due to its lipophilic nature, has the limitation of very low aqueous solubility and degrades rapidly when dispersed in aqueous media. The potential of sunflower seed protein isolate (SFPI), one of the underutilized plant protein, as a drug carrier was studied by synthesizing SFPI nanoparticles (NPs) and encapsulating curcumin in NPs. Increase in solubility of encapsulated curcumin was observed with an encapsulation efficiency of 83%. Stability studies showed that curcumin-SFPI NPs are stable in water and in gastrointestinal condition. The mechanism of interaction of curcumin involves the binding with the hydrophobic patches of protein. In complex with NPs, curcumin showed potent antioxidant activity; antiinflammatory effect of curcumin was studied by following lipoxygenase inhibition (IC₅₀  = 45.3 µM). The study explores the potential of sunflower seed protein to be used as carrier for delivery of nutraceutical by taking curcumin as model compound. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Sunflower seed protein is one of the versatile, quality proteins found in abundance; yet it is an underutilized plant protein. The study exploits the use of sunflower seed protein as a delivery system for lipophilic nutraceuticals by synthesizing NPs and encapsulating them. Solubility and stability of curcumin is increased along with enhanced antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity in complex with SFPI NPs when compared to free curcumin.

Hybrid nanocomposite curcumin-capped gold nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide: Anti-oxidant potency and selective cancer cytotoxicity

Nanotechnology-based antioxidants and therapeutic agents are believed to be the next generation tools to face the ever-increasing cancer mortality rates. Graphene stands as a preferred nano-therapeutic template, due to the advanced properties and cellular interaction mechanisms. Nevertheless, majority of graphene-based composites suffer from hindered development as efficient cancer therapeutics. Recent nano-toxicology reviews and recommendations emphasize on the preliminary synthetic stages as a crucial element in driving successful applications results. In this study, we present an integrated, green, one-pot hybridization of target-suited raw materials into curcumin-capped gold nanoparticle-conjugated reduced graphene oxide (CAG) nanocomposite, as a prominent anti-oxidant and anti-cancer agent. Distinct from previous studies, the beneficial attributes of curcumin are employed to their fullest extent, such that they perform dual roles of being a natural reducing agent and possessing antioxidant anti-cancer functional moiety. The proposed novel green synthesis approach secured an enhanced structure with dispersed homogenous AuNPs (15.62 ± 4.04 nm) anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, surpassing other traditional chemical reductants. On the other hand, safe, non-toxic CAG elevates biological activity and supports biocompatibility. Free radical DPPH inhibition assay revealed CAG antioxidant potential with IC50 (324.1 ± 1.8%) value reduced by half compared to that of traditional citrate-rGO-AuNP nanocomposite (612.1 ± 10.1%), which confirms the amplified multi-potent antioxidant activity. Human colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and SW-948) showed concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity for CAG, as determined by optical microscopy images and WST-8 assay, with relatively low IC50 values (~100 μg/ml), while preserving biocompatibility towards normal human colon (CCD-841) and liver cells (WRL-68), with high selectivity indices (≥ 2.0) at all tested time points. Collectively, our results demonstrate effective green synthesis of CAG nanocomposite, free of additional stabilizing agents, and its bioactivity as an antioxidant and selective anti-colon cancer agent.

A novel approach for the synthesis of phospholipid bilayer-coated zeolitic imidazolate frameworks: preparation and characterization as a pH-responsive drug delivery system

The first example of enveloping of the ZIF family by PLB as an effective biodegradable/biocompatible/responsive drug delivery system.

Development of stable curcumin nanoemulsions: effects of emulsifier type and surfactant-to-oil ratios

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, offers a wide range of pharmacological benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. The oil-in-water nanoemulsions containing curcumin were obtained by high pressure homogenization and effects of various emulsifiers (Tween-80, lecithin, whey protein isolate and acacia) and different surfactant-to-oil ratios (SOR) on physicochemical characteristics, physical stability and storage stability of curcumin loaded nanoemulsions were evaluated in this study. The result showed that smaller particle size, better physical and storage stabilities and higher curcumin content were found in curcumin loaded nanoemulsions stabilized with Tween-80 and lecithin. Compared with nanoemulsions prepared with lecithin, nanoemulsions fabricated with Tween-80 exhibited better uniformity and distribution as demonstrated by microscopic observations. It was found that SOR was positively correlated with particle size but negatively correlated with curcumin content in the emulsion droplets. Neither the emulsifier nor SOR values were found to have significant effects on zeta-potentials of the droplets. This result implied that curcumin loaded nanoemulsions prepared with Tween-80 and higher SOR values helped curcumin to achieve better physical stability and storage stability.

Applications and toxicity of graphene family nanomaterials and their composites

Graphene has attracted much attention of scientific community due to its enormous potential in different fields, including medical sciences, agriculture, food safety, cancer research, and tissue engineering. The potential for widespread human exposure raises safety concerns about graphene and its derivatives, referred to as graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs). Due to their unique chemical and physical properties, graphene and its derivatives have found important places in their respective application fields, yet they are being found to have cytotoxic and genotoxic effects too. Since the discovery of graphene, a number of researches are being conducted to find out the toxic potential of GFNs to different cell and animal models, finding their suitability for being used in new and varied innovative fields. This paper presents a systematic review of the research done on GFNs and gives an insight into the mode and action of these nanosized moieties. The paper also emphasizes on the recent and up-to-date developments in research on GFNs and their nanocomposites for their toxic effects.